Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at a greater risk for putting on weight if the condition is left untreated, a new study has found. ADHD is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder affecting about 3-5 percent of the world's population under the age of 19.

Though it is considered to be a persistent and chronic condition for which no medical cure is available, although medication can be prescribed. However, the study also found that the youngsters who were medicated for ADHD had a raised risk of being underweight.

Researchers Molly E. Waring and Kate L. Lapane, from the department of community health at Rhode Island collected data on almost 63,000 children and adolescents, aged 5 to 17. The data came from the 2003-2004 U.S. National Survey of Children's Health.

The study, which is published in the July issue of Pediatrics, revealed that children with ADHD who were not treated through medicines had a 1.5 times higher risk of being overweight, compared with children, who did not have ADHD.

The study also found that children with ADHD who were on medication for the condition had a 1.6 times greater risk of being underweight. The researchers recommend that people who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD should be monitored for their weight and then suggest medication accordingly.